took and mixed in with three measures of flour until
all of it was leavened." Matthew 13:33
Call To Action -Support Our US Sisters
Originally published in E-Leaven, November 14, 2009, Issue 19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2009
LARGEST PROGRESSIVE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE ISSUES STATEMENT ON NUNS INVESTIGATION
ONE WEEK BEFORE U.S. BISHOPS MEET IN BALTIMORE
In anticipation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops meeting
in Baltimore, the largest annual gathering of progressive Catholics
issued a statement of support to nuns during this time of investigation
by the Vatican and called the bishops to do the same.
The bishops' meeting takes place next week, the same week that women
religious are asked to submit their responses to the Vatican-issued
questionnaire that is part of the investigation. The deadline for the
questionnaire is November 20th.
More than 2,000 Catholics gathered in Milwaukee as part of the Call
To Action conference and on Sunday morning unanimously affirmed a statement
of support for women religious:
"Since January of 2009, the Vatican has investigated and sought
to silence Catholic sisters in the United States. They have set a deadline
of November 20th for the women religious' communities to respond to its
probing questionnaire.
Now more than ever we must speak out against the few bishops who continue
to wield the sword of division, rather than extend the hand of unity.
To our fellow Catholics in the United States and around the globe,
women religious have taught us how to live the gospel and open our
arms until they embraced all of God's people. It is now our responsibility
to put into action the lessons we have learned and ensure that our
sisters in faith are not ripped from the church's embrace.
To our courageous sisters, you who have been the bedrock of our church
and country, know that the people you have faithfully served stand
beside you as you have stood with us.
To those who are doing the investigation, your actions do not reflect
the welcoming and embracing love that Jesus demonstrated in the gospels.
We invite you to have a conversion of heart and join us in standing
with the women religious.
In every generation God raises up prophets to point the way towards
the gospel vision of inclusion. Women religious are these prophets.
Today we stand not with those who cling to the gates of exclusion but
with the prophets who open the gates and call us to live as one."
Call To Action/USA: Support Our Sisters!
In early November 2009, the California bishops issued a statement of support to women religious in the face of the Vatican's investigation. They thanked these "women of the Gospel... for their witness to the richness and varied gifts of the Spirit."
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will be meeting the week of November 15 in Baltimore. You have a small window of opportunity this week to encourage your bishop to issue his own statement or to issue a collective statement with his brother bishops.
Here is what you can do this week to support the sisters:
1) Look up your bishop's contact information at: www.cta-usa.org/justchurch/bishopslist
2) Call and leave a message for your bishop.
3) Ask your bishop to stand with the California bishops and make
a similar statement in support of women religious in the United States
4) Ask two friends to join you in this action and keep the sisters
in your prayers.
For more information on the California bishops' statement, see:
http://ncronline.org/news/women/california-bishops-offer-support-us-women-religious